BITTER STRUGGLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 220, 28 June 1943, Page 4

BITTER STRUGGLE.

PROSPECT FOR FEDERAL ELECTION. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) SYDNEY, June 27. “Until .public emotions clarify it would be a bold prophet who would forecast the outcome of the election. All are agreed that it is likely to he as close, as bitter, and as fluctuating in week-to-wcek fortune as -any in Australia’s history ” This comment on the forthcoming Federal polling, expected to be held late in August, is made by the political correspondent of the “Sydney Sunday Sun’’ to-day. “THie outcome of the lloyal Commission of Inquiry on the .statements by the suspended Alinister of Labour (Air E. J. Ward), that lie had been “most reliably informed” that a vital document was missing from the War Cabinet’s files, may prove an important election factor. But whatever the Commission’s finding, the ‘Brisbane line issue and the wider question ol Australian defence will dominate the elections.’ '

One correspondent writes: “I he ‘Brisbane line’ is not long enough to take all the dirty washing that will be hung on it in the next lew weeks.’

This certain feature of electioneering is deplored hy all Australian newspapers. “At lies! the squabble is academic; at worst it is dishonest and mischievous,” says the “Sydney Daily Telegraph.” “But by constant repetition Hie nebulous and intangible ‘Brisbane line' has become a catchcry all over Australia. This is a palpable electioneering issue as many oxpoel Labour to capitalise on it.